I only roll with cute (classy, clever, confident) chicks!

Tell me who your best friends are, and I will tell you who you are. If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights. "A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses." The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate - for the good and the bad. The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve. Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity. An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people. As you grow, your associates will change. Some of your friends will not want you to go on. They will want you to stay where they are. Friends that don't help you climb, will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don't increase you, will eventually decrease you. Consider this: Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always first to tell you how. Not everyone has a right to speak into your life. You are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person. Don't follow anyone who's not going anywhere. With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it.

I must admit... I'm guilty by association!

Appreciate those who love you even if it's not in the way you want...

So, today is Valentine's Day. Although I don't have a significant other, I was reminded that there are many people in this world who love me and their love is just as important as the romantic sort. I got roses and a card from my mommy. I also got one of the infamous heart-shaped containers holding assorted chocolates from a friend. The "bad kids" at work took me to birthday/Valentine's Day lunch. I even got a plant for my office. An e-mail from an old friend brought a smile to my face. And the various text messages from others simply wishing me a happy V-Day was enough for me to relish in all the PINK, red and white that makes February 14th what it is. Ultimately, even if I didn't share today with the love of my life, the loves in my life made it a special occasion. For that, I am grateful.

Go Shawty! It's your BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

Well, you can't find me in the club, but I am celebrating "another year better" on this day.... February 11. Since it's not polite to ask a lady her age, logic (at least MY logic) follows that it's also not impolite if I choose to conceal such information. I'll only call myself "twentysomething" and quote the one and only Jay-Z... "thirty's the new twenty." And, no, I'm not 29. Or 28 for that matter. :-)

Anyhow, I know it's been a while since my last post, but I've been busy being fabulous and what-not. However, I felt compelled to write considering that today, the anniversary of my birth, is such a momentous occasion!

So, what insight have I learned (or learned better) from experiencing one more year in this world?

Here is one through ten, in no particular order:

1. Faith without work is dead.

2. Follow your instinct; it hardly ever fails you.

3. Always put your best foot forward, for you never know who might be watching.

4. Distinguish those who truly have your best interest as a priority from those who do not; keep the former close, but don't forget the latter.

5. Be a good friend to those that are good to you; everyone else deserves cordiality.

6. Don't ever be afraid to dream!

7. Learn to listen. The skill is invaluable.

8. Stay true to yourself. Pretending to be someone you're not is exhausting.

9. Being this fabulous doesn't come easy!

10. It's cold at the top...